Adolescent Psychiatrist Questions Antidepressants

Is my daughter too young for antidepressants?

My daughter is a teenager, 15-years-old. I've been having her go to a psychiatrist once she started showing symptoms of depression and had expressed suicidal thoughts. I'm happy that she is getting the treatment that she needs now, but her psychiatrist prescribed her antidepressants. I feel like she's too young to take these, even though it is helping her with her thoughts and symptoms. Is 15 too young for antidepressants?

3 Answers

No. Especially if she had suicidal thoughts. Teenagers are the highest risk for suicide and antidepressants have proven to help prevent this. She does need close followup and counceling also
No, but she must be seen by a psych.
The short answer is no. Many adults with depression started with symptoms during their adolescent years and the number one reason for completed suicide in adolescents is not treating the depression.